Etowah running back Raishod Devezin carries the ball during Friday’s game with archrival Woodstock. Devezin had one of the Eagles’ five touchdowns on the night, which allowed them to win the rivalry game and stay in contention
for the Region 5AAAAAA championship.
Staff photo by Samantha M. Shal

WOODSTOCK — Etowah proved that it had learned from the mistakes of a week ago, as its defense responded with a big stop to close out a 35-28 victory over Towne Lake rival Woodstock on Friday.

The Wolverines received a punt with less than 2 minutes in the game and had a shot to tie the game, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

“We fought hard and found ways to make some stops,” Woodstock coach Brent Budde said. “We had the ball at the end with a chance to score, but you have to tip your hat to Etowah for good defense in the end. We wanted to get one more play at the end, and we didn’t get that, and that’s just the way it goes sometimes.”

After Woodstock (2-6, 1-4 Region 5AAAAAA) picked up a pair of first downs and moved the ball to the Etowah 49, the Eagles’ defense put the brakes on the Wolverines’ offense.

Woodstock’s Garrett Atkinson was held to just a 4- yard gain on a reception, while another pass by Justin Agner fell incomplete. The quarterback was then dropped for no gain on third down before the Wolverines elected to go for it on fourth-and-10 from the 49. On the final play, Agner was tripped up trying to squeeze through a hole in the line.

Etowah (7-1, 4-1) took over on downs and ended the game in victory formation as a rowdy student section at Eagle Stadium prepared to rush the field.

Etowah coach Dave Svehla said it would be hard to top the emotion that the cheering students brought to the game, and the energy the players had on the field.

“I can’t imagine being anywhere in America that would be more exciting and more intense than what we had here (Friday night),” Svehla said.

Etowah regained control of the Towne Lake series after losing at Woodstock in 2012. The Eagles also resumed their attempt at a region championship, maintaining a tie with Lassiter, which they play in two weeks. Next week, however, Etowah must contend with Walton.

Woodstock struck first Friday, using a 56-yard pass from Agner to Reagan Amos less than 2 minutes into the game.

But Etowah answered with a long pass play of its own as John Oliver connected with Cory Burdett

for a 37-yard strike, which tied the score at 7-all.

Before the end of the first quarter, Woodstock settled for a 29-yard field goal by Javier Zavala after

Ethan Wheeler recovered an Etowah fumble on the Eagles’ 22.

Etowah, however, ended the first quarter with the lead after Oliver shuffled a pass to Ty Burton, who ran 49 yards for the touchdown.

In the second quarter, Woodstock had two opportunities to cut into the Eagles’ 14-10 lead. The

Wolverines failed to convert on their first field goal attempt as the ball struck the cross bar. The second drive ended with a 25-yard field goal by Zavala as time expired — despite Etowah’s

attempt to ice the kicker.

Etowah went up 21-13 on its first drive of the second half as Raishod Devezin toted the ball in from 10 yards out, but the lead didn’t hold for long.

Less than 3 minutes later, Woodstock was in the end zone with a 3-yard run by Donovan Brand.

Agner successfully ran the ball in for the 2-point conversion, which tied the game at 21-all.

The Eagles broke the tie before the end of the quarter, with Oliver once more putting the ball in the air.

The quarterback, who finished with 139 passing yards and three touchdowns, connected with Keith Gordon for the 7- yard completion.

After Woodstock was forced to punt, Etowah began a drive on its own 15. The Eagles used less

than 2 minutes to move the ball 85 yards, as Oliver did most of the work. After being stopped for a loss of a yard, Oliver called his own name again, this time running 44 yards and virtually untouched to make the score 35-21.

The teams traded punts before Woodstock cut into the lead after profiting from an interception. Oliver’s pass, intercepted by Woodstock’s Jelani Regan, set up a 33-yard drive, which was capped by a 12-yard pass from Agner to Atkinson with 6:04 left.

Agner, who was playing the game through an injury and took several big hits during the game, was 16-for-38 passing for 269 yards and two touchdowns.

Atkinson made five catches for 79 yards, while Josh Loud caught seven passes for 76 yards. Also key were Amos and Nick Cable.

Deonte Robins, who had just four carries, led Woodstock with 49 rushing yards, due largely to a 40-

yard run.

Oliver led Etowah with 99 yards on 14 carries. Keith Gordon had six carries for 83 yards, including a 41-yard dash in the second half.

You know Sick Of, I don't know Budde personally. But what I do know is the amount of time and dedication a Head Coach/Staff puts into a program, along with the Administration and the Booster Club and their involvement. I have been a paid teacher/football coach, a lay coach in the jr. program and long time booster club member at 2 schools in the county. and I do know what it takes with all the different variables in what goes into a winning/losing program (been a part of both). Fact....There are problems whether winning or losing. "So Sad" brought up a very important issue that can't be overlooked.... Redistricting. That can change a lot of things. New high schools being built, i.e. Creekview and River Ridge. The ebb and flow of talent running through the system is another. Some years the overall talent isn't there. You'll see players playing both ways, the same 22 out on the field. It's frustrating for the parents. I've been a parent and a coach through that. The HC/staff are under pressure to win. They want to WIN, that's the object. Let's be frank, WS's region isn't for sissies either. It's not an easy task to follow O'Brien's footsteps, knowing the history. But I have to believe Coach Budde and his staff along with the Admin. and the booster club are working hard and doing everything they can to make Woodstock a winner. Some don't want to agree that and that's their right. I just don't think it's a good thing to come on the local paper and complain of getting rid of a coach, especially if they're not involved. You said what you said and got it off your chest and I said what I said to get it off mine. Over and done........

1whonoze, you are clearly not very bright. Many people would gladly tell Budde what they think, but everyone has seen what happens to players whose parents 'talk' to him. Those kids don't play for a long time, even if they are some of the better players.I wouldn't want to see my son suffer the same fate. Budde is going to show who is boss even if the team loses every game. So unless and until you or Budde are anointed divine emperor, we will continue to exercise our right to free speech. Read the Constitution, and I don't mean the AJC ! And go be a bully somewhere else!

A bully? Fifth Amendment rights?? Divine emperor??? Really! HHMMM. You are disguted. I feel sorry for you, I really do. Wish you happiness....

Sick_Of_Budde

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October 31, 2013

1whonoze - yes i have expressed my opinion to many parents and booster members and have seen three of my sons go through the woodstock football program dating back to when Chuck was the head coach at Woodstock. So yes my opinion runs much deeper in this program and I have watched this school, community and family grow from the very beginning. Budde will not be the head coach at Woodstock next year. He gave alot of years as a very talented defensive coordinator and that is what he is best at being a defensive coordinator. I have seen this program flourish with little talent and stumble when it had alot of talent, going all the way back to the Phillip Ferega and Douglas Vines Era. Ive seen the program struggle under Rodney Floyd who couldn't win a game with by far the most talented players the program ever saw like Chriss Riffey and Brian McHale. I watched an 0-26 streak get broken when Mike O'brien came in and changed the entire atmosphere in 2003. I watched Bobby Touhy and Tripp Chandler take this program to its first ever win over Marietta and a state playoff appearance. And then Budde took over and everyone was excited to see the loyal and faithful assistant finally get a shot at being the head coach even I was excited but every year it has been a new offense and the defense is not what it has ever been. He just isn't getting the job done and its time to move on. So 1whonoze what makes you so qualified to stand behind budde?

This man is no longer a leader that the woodstock family can rely on anymore. The Alumni are pissed, the parents are pissed, the community is pissed and the players are fed up with his antics. His coaching staff are all desperately trying to find a new place to coach next year especially if this stupid administration keeps him around another year. Budde is a much better coordinator one of the best in the state I will give him that but he is just not organized enough to be the head man. It is sad to see Woodstock fall like they have since he took over and of course he will never be like OB but its time to go out and find an established and accomplished head coach not another tryout for a new coordinator. It is sad to see that Etowah is better than woodstock that should never happen those little princesses over at etowah have been spoiled too much

Gee, tell us how you really feel "Sick of Budde"! Question for you. Would you say this to him/them face to face? Would you say this in a booster club meeting to all the people who's kid's toil out there and they spend countless hours helping run the program and support him?? Are you even involved with any of that??? Why not go ahead and say it in those venues where it really counts? That way you can really let some folks up close and personal know how you feel, why waste all the angst here? Nah, I didn't think so. You'll just chicken-crap your way on here with your whining. Try and look for other reasons why there's a problem.... start with yourself and work up from there. Watch out though, they might want to take YOU "to the woodshed"!

So Sad

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October 31, 2013

First, you should blame the Cherokee County School District! The CCSD redistrict the county with the opening of RRHS. RRHS depleted WHS from a number of quality athletes. Etowah was untouched by the redistricting. Since then, WHS has been one of the smallest 6A programs in the state. The CCSD should have pulled out enough students to move WHS down to 5A. Instead the CCSD left WHS sitting at the bottom while Etowah and Cherokee have over 500 more to pull athletes from.

Coach Budde and his coaching staff have been able to get the most out of the athletes. This undersized team has been able to compete. The offense has seen a major improvement this season. Woodstock had a chance to win in the last minutes against Cherokee and Etowah.

Support the program! Become part of the solution, not part of the problem.

WHS ALUM

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October 26, 2013

Once again what is going on with the Woodstock Football program? 2-6????????

If anyone has any issues with the program please contact the AD and the principal as soon as possible. They need to know about all of these things.

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